After a yearlong hiatus, chocolate milk will be back on the menu in the Norton public schools come fall.

“The federal government is easing up on restrictions regarding chocolate milk,” said school interim superintendent Christopher Martes.

Last year, when updating the school wellness policy, the committee was forced to exclude chocolate, and other flavored milks, from the menu because of stricter regulations from both the federal and state levels.

At the time the board also banned bake sales within the schools, again because of state standards, but later recanted.

On June 10 the board revisited the wellness policy for the 2013/14 calendar.

After a unanimous vote, chocolate milk is back and bake sales will still be allowed. But foods like candy bars and cupcakes cannot be sold 30 minutes before the start of school, during school hours or 30 minutes after school.

“(The state) is very strict about the 30-minute rule,” Martes said.

Food sales at sporting events, school fairs and bake sale fundraisers are fine, as long as they fall within the state parameters, said school food service director JoAnn Petrelli.

Petrelli also said it was important to be in compliance with the state standards in order to get reimbursement money that benefits the schools.

School committee member Andrew Mackie said he understands the bigger picture, that the regulations are attempting to create a healthier school environment, but part of the equation isn’t just diet, but also physical activity.

“When we were kids this wasn’t an issue because we had gym every single day,” Mackie said. “But in the world of MCAS, physical activity has been watered down because of other requirements kids need to meet.”

Martes said Norton schools do a good job providing options to get students moving. Recess and physical activities both in the classroom as well as extracurricular activities are ways students burn off calories.

Mackie agreed, but said the district still needs to do a better job getting all kids moving, not just the ones who opt to participate in physical activities.

One thing is for certain. The elementary students at the J.C. Solmonese School, who last year petitioned to get chocolate milk back in their lunchrooms, are bound to be pleased.